mekaar

Each Other: Mekaar

Level 2

Mekaar means each other: Hulle help mekaar. (They help each other.)

How It Works

1. As an object. Mekaar goes where an object pronoun would go:

  • Hulle help mekaar. (They help each other.)
  • Ons ken mekaar al jare. (We have known each other for years.)
  • Ons het mekaar in Kaapstad ontmoet. (We met in Cape Town.)

2. After a preposition. Mekaar often follows a preposition: met mekaar (with each other), vir mekaar (for each other), na mekaar (at each other), van mekaar (from each other). Die twee susters lyk baie na mekaar means the two sisters look very much alike.

3. Each other or themselves? A reflexive pronoun points back to each person on their own, while mekaar points across to the others: Hulle sien hulleself in die spieël (they see themselves in the mirror), but Hulle sien mekaar (they see each other).

4. Two or more people. Mekaar usually points back to a plural subject such as ons, julle or hulle, or two or more named people: Jan en Sarie bel mekaar elke aand. It can also point back to a plural object: Ek stel hulle aan mekaar voor. (I introduce them to each other.)

Tip: in relaxed speech you may hear malkaar. In writing, use mekaar.

Examples (6)

  1. Hulle help mekaar met die huiswerk.

    They help each other with the homework.

    Word by Word: They help each-other with the homework.

  2. Ons sien mekaar môre.

    We'll see each other tomorrow.

    Word by Word: We see each-other tomorrow.

  3. Ons het mekaar in Kaapstad ontmoet.

    We met each other in Cape Town.

    Word by Word: We have each-other in Cape Town met.

  4. Die twee susters lyk baie na mekaar.

    The two sisters look very much alike.

    Word by Word: The two sisters look very to each-other.

    Lyk na means look like, so lyk na mekaar means look like each other.

  5. Julle moet met mekaar praat.

    You need to talk to each other.

    Word by Word: You must with each-other talk.

  6. Jan en Sarie bel mekaar elke aand.

    Jan and Sarie call each other every evening.

    Word by Word: Jan and Sarie call each-other every evening.

Common Mistakes

  • Translating each other word for word.

    Hulle help elke ander.
    Hulle help mekaar.

    Afrikaans has one word for each other: mekaar.

  • Using a reflexive pronoun where each other is meant.

    Hulle help hulle met die huiswerk.
    Hulle help mekaar met die huiswerk.

    Hulle help hulle means they help themselves or them. Mekaar shows that they help one another.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mekaarLevel 2Each Other: Mekaar

Learn This First

Mekaar describes people acting on one another and can be compared with acting on oneself.

Words in This Pattern